A truck hauling hydrogen has caught fire on a Southern California freeway, burning furiously and posing a possibly explosive danger.

Authorities say the big-rig's cab caught fire Thursday afternoon on eastbound State Route 60 in the Hacienda Heights area east of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County fire Inspector Scott Miller says the driver managed to get out and told authorities the truck was hauling cylinders of compressed hydrogen, which is flammable and potentially explosive.

Firefighters doused the fire but it destroyed the truck cab. They have backed off and are pouring streams of water on the hydrogen tanks to cool them down.

Meanwhile, all lanes of the freeway are closed and rush-hour traffic is jammed.